Plug-switch.



-J. J. LYNG.

PLUG SWITCH. .APPLICATION FILED NOV.18,1909.

Patented Sept. 24, 1912.

Any

saires Parana arios.

JOHN -T. LYNG, OF NZEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMANY,l OF

NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS.

o all whom t mag,i conc-am:

Be it known that I, JOHN J. LrNo, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the countgY of `New York and State of New York have 'nvlented a certain new and useful improvement in Plugr` Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact descri tion.

My invention relates tu switches of the plug and socket type, more particularly to switches comprising a plurality of clogs and sooiltets, as for example, the so ca led twin plugs and jacks used in telephone switch: boards as a means of connecting the operators telephone set in circuit.

The object of my invention is to provide an ellicient, simple and inexpensive switch ofthe aforementioned type.

Heretofore in switches omnprising more than one plug and socket, as for example, the twin plug and referred to abov the plugs have been rigidly mounted with respect to each other, as have also the jacks. With this construction, particularly where a given plug may be used to make connection wi an lpair of a large number of sockets in a board, it is essential that the plu land sockets be made and mounted witi extreme accuracy in order that they may properly cooperate, and heretofore this proper engagement of the parts has been secured only `throutfrh refined processes of manufacture. The switch of my invention secures the desired result without such refined methods, with the consequent saving.

In accordance with this invention one or more of the plugs oli the plug-member of the switch have a limited relative lateral movement, and are preferably held in a slightly separated condition by a spring, whereby upon inserting the )lug members into the sockets'or jacks of tie board they will automatically adapt themselves to an ordinary differences of centers on which the jacks may be mounted.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure l is a plan view, partly in section. of an assembled phlg-mrmber embodying m invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation Ofysaid plug-member; Fig. 3 is u view of one of the plugs removed from the shell Specleatlon of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 24, 1912. A-qiplioation Bled November 18, 190D.

Serial No. 528,724.

is u plan view partly in section of a soc et.

Lilie characters of reference are used t0 designate like parts throughout the various lixsruroa` y Referring to the drawings showing my invention as embodied in a switch of the type used in tele )hone practice` 9, 9 are the plugs proper which are of the ordinary constriurtion used in telephone practice. -l0,

l0 are insulating members adapted to surround the bodyv portion of said plugs as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 7. The insulating members 10, l0 may be formed with plane confronting recessed faces l1, 11, thereby forming a suitable bearing surface for the ends of an X shaped flat spring l2 and providing shoulders 13 adapted toretain said spring 1n position.

14 and 15 are insulating washers.

vVith the parts in the relative positions shown in Fig. 7.y saii'lparts are slipped into the shell or body portionI '16 after which the insulating washers Iblarc'plac'ed in position on the plugs and the entire device secured in unit form by nuts 23 and 24.

.25 is an eye in tho shell 16 adapted to afford a convenient means for securing the usual sta cord to the plufr-nlcmber.

With tliie above described' construction, it will be readily understood that the plugs are capable of lateral movement against the restoring force of spring l2.

In Fig. 8 a jack is shown comprisin the relatively Xed sleeves or sockets 26 an the springs 27, the construction being too well understood by those skilled in the art to require detailed description.

With the plug-member and jack as described, it is obvious that if the distance between the centers of the sockets is not the same as is that between the plugs, the latter, being capable of lateral movement against the restoring spring X, will adjust themselves to the -former and thereby insure pro er mechanical and electrical engagement .of t 1e plug and socket members.

Having described my invention, I claim: '-1. Im a plug-member, the combination with a pairof pl ugs having a norlnal relative position, resilient means eoperating' with said plugs to maintain them in such position, and a confining member adapted to limit the outward relative movement of said plugs.

2. In a plug-membei, the combination.

with a pair of plugs, tension means tending to .separate said plugs, and a confining member limiting the separating effect of said tension means.

3. In a plug4member, the combination with a shell, a pair of plu s laterally movable but longiti flfnally rigid therein, and a spring normally separating said plugs.

4. In a switch plug-member, the combination with a body portion, of a pair of' plugs' lcarried by said body portion, one of said plugs being movably mounted, and a spring between said plugs. l

5. In a switch plug-member, .the combination with a body portion, of a pair of plugs movably carried by said body portion, and a spring between said plugs. 6. ,In a switch plug-member, the combination with a shell, of t'wo plugs movably earried within said shell, and a spring'adapted to hold said plugs apart. y

7. In a switch plug-member, the combination with a shell, of a pair of laterally movable plugs wit-hin said shell, insulating members surrounding said plugs, and a springbetween said members. I

8. In a switch plug-member, the combina# tion with a metal shell, of a pair of laterally movable plugs Within said shell, insulating ot', laterally movable plugs within said shell,

insulating members'surrounding said plugs, oneot` said membershaving a recessed side, andv an X shaped tlat 'spring between said members, said spring-being held in position Aby the shoulders of said recessed portion.

` nation with a shell or body portion, of -a pair oflaterally movable insulated plugs Within said shell, andv an X shaped `tlat spring between said-plugs'.

In witness whereof, l hereunto subscribe my'name this seventeenth day of November JOI'IN'JfIjiYNG. Witnesses: j

IRVING MACDONALD, Enma T? RnAUnlnN. 

